The following diabetes update addresses the alarming rates of diabetes in the United States and the alarming fact that many people are walking around with diabetes, unaware that they have it. My father was diagnosed with Type II diabetes two years ago and he made the decision to change his life. With the support of my mother, they both changed their diets to significantly minimize the intake of carbohydrates and sugars. He decided to start his day with a three mile walk and eventually he incorporated sit-ups, push-ups and other exercises. He also read about diabetes and he incorporated tips about food into their meal planning. And he regular monitors his blood glucose levels. My father is an example of someone who was diagnosed with diabetes and decided to take control of it. Since then, he has lost 40 pounds, he is in good shape and his physician has told him that he is completely controlling his diabetes on his own. My father’s story is offered as inspiration to others who are met with a
diagnosis of diabetes and who may feel overwhelmed by it. Taking the driver’s seat is possible and the rewards are immeasurable.

Diabetes: A Growing Concern

It is hard to ignore the fact that Americans of all ages are gaining weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 percent of Americans are now overweight and 26 percent are obese. Ten years ago, only 56 percent of Americans were overweight and 23 percent were obese. What’s not obvious is one of the serious implications of becoming overweight:Type II diabetes.

To find a cure, 100,000 people will team up with their friends, neighbors, and co-workers to walk in American’s Walk for Diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the body no longer makes or is unable to use insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin allows energy from carbohydrates in foods to be used by the body’s cells.

Most people with diabetes have type II diabetes, which usually develops later in life. Although the exact causes of diabetes are unknown, there are known risk factors. People are at higher risk for diabetes if they are African American, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Native American; have an immediate family member with diabetes; or are a woman who has had a baby who weighs more than nine pounds. In addition, research strongly indicates that controllable factors, including body weight and physical activity, play a significant role in the onset of type II diabetes.

According to Phyllis Barrier, MS, RD, CDE, national director of program publications for the American Diabetes Association, “Everyone over age 45 should be screened for diabetes every three years, and if they have a family history of diabetes or other risk factors, they should be screened earlier and more frequently.

However, adults are not the only ones who need to be concerned about type II diabetes–it also is becoming more common among overweight children, a trend that worries health professionals. And while not all people with type II diabetes are overweight, many are.

Despite the fact that the CDC reports the prevalence of diabetes has risen 33 percent since 1990 across all age groups, educational levels and ethnic groups, the good news is that diabetes is manageable. Even more important, though is reducing the risk of becoming diabetic by maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and eating a proper diet.

Going the Distance

Every fall, many Americans do more than talk about finding a cure for diabetes–they walk the walk.

To find a cure, 100,000 people will team up with their friends, neighbors, and co-workers to walk in American’s Walk for Diabetes, which takes place in almost 300 cities nationwide.

With 16 million American with diabetes, 190,000 will die from its complications that include blindness, kidney failure, amputation, heart attack and stroke.

Almost a third of the people who have diabetes may not even know they have it until they develop complications.

If you add up health care costs, lost work days and productivity, diabetes costs this country roughly $100 billion every year.

To help fund research to find a cure, walkers gather sponsors and donations from local businesses and individuals for the American Diabetes Association.

Many people form corporate teams and walk with their co-workers. Events like the Walk allow colleagues the opportunity to contribute to their local communities and improve their health and employee communication.

For more information on America’s Walk for Diabetes, to sign up as a walker, sponsor, or volunteer, or to donate, call the American Diabetes Association at 1-888-DIABETES (1-888-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org.

The American Diabetes Association is a voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of they United States, providing services in more than 800 communities.

Learning the Facts About Diabetes

The following information is provided by the National Diabetes Education Program, a joint program of the National Institutes of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diabetes is a disease caused by a deficiency of insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.

Type I diabetes, often called juvenile onset diabetes, may account for five to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases.

Type II diabetes may account for 90 percent to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases.

Risk factors for Type II diabetes include obesity, a family history of diabetes, older age and damaged glucose tolerance.

Symptoms include excessive thirst, extreme hunger, excessive urination, unexplained weight loss, sudden vision change, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, feeling tired most of the time, very dry skin, sores that heal slowly and more infections than usual.

Diabetes complication included blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and lower limb amputation.

Approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes, but 5.4 million of them do not know it.

Approximately 2,186 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every day in the United States.

Diabetes and its complications occur in Americans of all ages and racial and ethnic groups. Older Americans are more commonly affected.

There is no cure for diabetes.

Controlling Diabetes

Diabetes treatment includes eating to control blood sugar, getting regular physical activity, taking diabetes medicines and/or insulin, and monitoring blood sugar levels.

By keeping blood sugar levels in the normal range, people with diabetes lower their risk of long-term complications of diabetes, such as eye disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

In the short run, controlling blood sugar levels helps people with diabetes feel better, stay healthy and enjoy a better quality of life.

Medicare Benefits Can Help

The new Medicare benefits can help people with diabetes.

Medicare now can help pay for diabetes self-monitoring equipment and supplies such as blood glucose monitors, test strips and lancets.

Approximately 2,186 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every day in the United States.

The benefit starts once people with Medicare medical insurance who have diabetes meet their annual deductible. After that point, people with Medicare pay only 20 percent of the cost of their diabetes self-monitoring equipment and supplies, and Medicare pays the other 80 percent. If you are in a Medicare health plan, check with the plan to find out if there is a co-payment. Either way, remember that Medicare helps pay for part of the cost of your diabetes equipment and supplies.

The new policy applies to people with Medicare regardless of whether they use insulin or not.

For free information about diabetes, contact:

National Diabetes Education Program,
1 Diabetes Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3600
(800) 438-5383
http://ndep.nih.gov

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse,
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,
1 Information Way;
Bethesda, MD 20892–3560;
(301) 654-3327;
(301) 907-8906 fax;
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/diabetes.html.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
NCCDPHP, Division of Diabetes Translation,
4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS K10;
Atlanta, Ga. 30341-3717;
(877) 232-3422;
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes.

For free information about Medicare’s coverage of diabetes supplies, contact:

Health Care Financing Administration,
Center for Beneficiary Services,
7500 Secuirty Boulevard;
Baltimore, MD 21244;
http://www.medicare.gov;
1-800-MEDICARE (800) 633-4227;
Available in English and Spanish.